Lens Barrel

ABSTRACT

A lens barrel includes a ring member having a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof; a lens support ring positioned in the ring member and supported thereby to be rotatable with respect to the ring member, the lens support ring having a first cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; a biasing ring coupled to the lens support ring to be movable in an optical axis direction and to be non-rotatable with respect to the lens support ring, the biasing ring having a second cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; and a biasing device for biasing the lens support ring and the biasing ring in opposite directions to press the first and second cam followers against opposite guide surfaces of the cam groove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a lens barrel which incorporates a guide mechanism using a cam groove(s) and a cam follower(s) which are respectively engaged in the cam groove(s).

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In a lens barrel which incorporates a guide mechanism using at least one cam groove and at least one cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove to move one or more elements of the lens barrel in a predetermined moving manner, there are various known methods of removing backlash and play between the cam follower and the cam groove to ensure a high positioning accuracy of one or more lens groups of the lens barrel. According to a simple method of removing such backlash and play, only a minimum clearance is established with a high degree of precision between each cam groove and the associated cam follower so that such backlash and play does not have to be taken into account. However, it is not practical to form the cam follower and the cam groove with such a high degree of precision in terms of the production cost, and also in time and effort.

[0005] If each cam groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the optical axis, of the lens system provided in the lens barrel, and a circumferential direction of the lens barrel, each cam groove can be considered to control forward and reverse rotations of either a follower member on which the cam follower is formed or a corresponding cam member on which the cam groove is appropriately formed in a manner so that each cam follower remains in contact with one of the opposite guide surfaces (guide surfaces) of the associated cam groove, between which the cam follower is positioned, for the purpose of guiding each cam follower along the associated cam groove with a high degree of precision. However, this method is not effective in removing backlash and play between the cam follower and specific portions of the cam groove which do not extend in a direction inclined with respect to both the optical axis of the lens system and a circumferential direction of the cam member, i.e., which extends only in a circumferential direction of the cam member, perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0006] In another method of removing backlash and play between the cam follower and the cam groove, a device for removing such backlash and play using one or more spring members as a biasing device is known in the art. However, it has formerly been difficult to simplify and miniaturize the structure of this conventional device. For instance, although the lens barrel needs to be provided around the aforementioned biasing device with a reaction force receiving portion (or portions) which receives the reaction force of the biasing device, the reaction force receiving portion tends to become a leading cause of an increase in size of the lens barrel because the reaction force receiving portion is designed as an independent member in conventional lens barrels. In addition, in such a conventional backlash and play removing device, a constant biasing force is applied between the cam groove and the cam follower regardless of whether the lens barrel is in use. Due to this structure, a large friction is produced between each cam groove and the associated cam follower even when backlash and play between the cam follower and the cam groove do not have to be reduced to a minimum, e.g., during the time the lens barrel changes its position from an accommodation position to a ready-to-photograph position in a zooming range (e.g., a wide-angle extremity) if the lens barrel is a zoom lens barrel. Such a large friction becomes an unfavorable resistance to the engagement between the cam follower and specific portions of the cam groove.

[0007] As another problem, if each cam follower bumps hard against one of the opposite guide surfaces of the associated cam groove due to an accidental impact (external force) on the lens barrel, a portion of each cam groove against which the associated cam follower bumps hard is damaged, thus making it impossible for the damaged cam groove to guide the associated cam follower smoothly afterwards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a lens barrel which incorporates a guide mechanism using at least one cam groove and at least one cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove, wherein backlash and play between the cam groove and the cam follower can reliably be removed with a simple and small mechanism.

[0009] For example, a lens barrel including a ring member having a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the cam groove including opposite guide surfaces; a lens support ring positioned in the ring member and supported thereby to be rotatable with respect to the ring member, the lens support ring having a first cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; a biasing ring coupled to the lens support ring to be movable in an optical axis direction and to be non-rotatable about the optical axis with respect to the lens support ring, the biasing ring having a second cam follower which is engaged in the cam groove of the ring member; and a biasing device for biasing the lens support ring and the biasing ring in opposite directions in the optical axis direction to press the first cam follower and the second cam follower against the opposite guide surfaces of the cam groove.

[0010] It is desirable for the biasing device to bias the lens support ring and the biasing ring in opposite directions away from each other in the optical axis direction.

[0011] It is desirable for the opposite guide surfaces of the cam groove to include a front guide surface and a rear guide surface, the front guide surface being provided at a forward position of the optical axis and the rear guide surface being provided at a rearward position of the optical axis. The first cam follower is pressed against the front guide surface and the second cam follower is pressed against the rear guide surface.

[0012] It is desirable for the first cam follower to be formed on an outer peripheral surface of the lens support ring, at a rear end thereof in the optical axis direction. A radial end portion of the first cam follower is engaged in the cam groove, and a base portion of the first cam follower is fitted in a recess formed on the biasing ring.

[0013] It is desirable for the first cam follower and the second cam follower to be pressed against one of the opposite guide surfaces and the other of the opposite guide surfaces, respectively, with the first cam follower and the second cam follower not being in contact with the other of the opposite guide surfaces and the one of the opposite guide surfaces, respectively.

[0014] It is desirable for a mutual distance in the optical axis direction between the first cam follower and the second cam follower to change in accordance with movement of the first and second cam followers along the cam groove.

[0015] The lens barrel can include a zoom lens barrel. It is desirable for the cam groove to include a zooming groove portion used to change a position of the zoom lens barrel between a telephoto extremity and a wide-angle extremity, and a photographing preparation groove portion which extends from one end of the zooming groove portion to an accommodation position. The mutual distance between the first and second cam followers when the first and second cam followers are engaged in the photographing-preparation groove portion is greater than when the first and second cam followers are engaged in the zooming groove portion.

[0016] It is desirable for the zooming groove portion to extend only in a circumferential direction of the lens support ring, perpendicular to the optical axis. It is desirable for the photographing-preparation groove portion extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the optical axis and the circumferential direction of the lens support ring. The first cam follower and the second cam follower are engaged in the cam groove at different circumferential positions of the lens support ring.

[0017] The ring member includes a stationary barrel fixed to a camera body, the lens barrel further including a rotation transfer ring via which a rotational motion is transferred to the lens support ring, the rotation transfer ring being supported by the ring member so as to be immovable in the optical axis direction and to be rotatable about the optical axis with respect to the ring member.

[0018] It is desirable for the rotation transfer ring to be engaged with the lens support ring and the biasing ring to be non-rotatable with respect to both the lens support ring and the biasing ring.

[0019] The biasing device can include at least one compression spring provided between the lens support ring and the biasing ring.

[0020] The lens barrel can further include a motor which generates the rotational motion, so that the rotation transfer ring transfers the rotational motion from the motor to the lens support ring.

[0021] The lens support ring can include a plurality of first cam grooves and a plurality of second cam grooves which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the lens support ring and an outer peripheral surface of the lens support ring, respectively.

[0022] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No.2001-335565 (filed on Oct. 31, 2001) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a zoom lens barrel according to the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the zoom lens barrel shown in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another portion of the zoom lens barrel shown in FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second lens group moving frame and a shutter unit fixed to the second lens group moving frame, which are shown in FIG. 1, as viewed obliquely from front of the second lens group moving frame;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second lens group moving frame and the shutter unit fixed to the second lens group moving frame, which are shown in FIG. 1, as viewed obliquely from rear of the second lens group moving frame;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, showing a position where the second lens group moving frame has rotated by a predetermined amount of rotation with respect to the shutter unit from the position shown in FIG. 4;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, showing a position where the second lens group moving frame has rotated by a predetermined amount of rotation with respect to the shutter unit from the position shown in FIG. 5;

[0031]FIG. 8 is an axial cross sectional view of the zoom lens barrel shown in FIG. 1, above the optical axis, showing the zoom lens barrel in an accommodation position;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, showing the zoom lens barrel in a wide-angle position;

[0033]FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, showing the zoom lens barrel in a telephoto position;

[0034]FIG. 11A is an enlarged perspective view of the cam ring;

[0035]FIG. 11B is an enlarged perspective view of a rotational ring shown in FIG. 1;

[0036]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cam ring, the rotational ring and a biasing ring fitted on the rear end of the cam ring in the accommodation position shown in FIG. 8;

[0037]FIG. 13 is a view similar to that of FIG. 12, showing the cam ring, rotational ring and the biasing ring in a photographing position;

[0038]FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the cam ring, the rotational ring and the biasing ring;

[0039]FIG. 15 is a perspective cross sectional view of the cam ring, the rotational ring and the biasing ring;

[0040]FIG. 16 is a developed view of an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring;

[0041]FIG. 17A is a developed view of outer peripheral surfaces of the cam ring and the biasing ring fitted on the rear end of the cam ring;

[0042]FIG. 17B is a developed view of an outer peripheral surface of the rotational ring;

[0043]FIG. 18 is a developed view of outer peripheral surfaces of the cam ring, the rotational ring and the biasing ring in the accommodation position shown in FIG. 12;

[0044]FIG. 19 is a developed view of outer peripheral surfaces of the cam ring, the rotational ring and the biasing ring in the photographing position shown in FIG. 13;

[0045]FIG. 20 is a developed view of an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring;

[0046]FIGS. 21A through 21J are developed perspective diagrams of the cam ring, a first lens group moving frame and the second lens group moving frame which are associated with one another, showing their positional relationships, step by step, in the case where the cam ring rotates from the accommodation position to the wide-angle extremity;

[0047]FIG. 22 is a graph showing variations in angle of rotation of the second lens group moving frame with respect to the cam ring;

[0048]FIG. 23 is a graph showing the relationship among the angle of rotation of the cam ring and the axial positions of the first and second lens group moving frames, wherein their respective accommodation positions are represented by the point of origin (zero) of the graph;

[0049]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the first lens group moving frame and the second lens group moving frame fitted in the first lens group moving frame in the accommodation position shown in FIG. 8;

[0050]FIG. 25 is a view similar to that of FIG. 24, showing a state where three linear guide keys of the second lens group moving frame and corresponding three linear guide grooves of four linear guide grooves of the first lens group moving frame are aligned in the optical axis direction of the zoom lens barrel so that the three linear guide keys can be engaged in the corresponding three linear guide keys, respectively;

[0051]FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the first lens group moving frame and the second lens group moving frame fitted in the first lens group moving frame in the accommodation position shown in FIG. 8;

[0052]FIG. 27 is a view similar to that of FIG. 26, showing a state where the three linear guide keys of the second lens group moving frame and the corresponding three linear guide grooves of the four linear guide grooves of the first lens group moving frame are aligned in the optical axis direction of the zoom lens barrel so that the three linear guide keys can be engaged in the corresponding three linear guide keys, respectively; and

[0053]FIG. 28 is a developed view of an inner peripheral surface of a stationary barrel shown in FIG. 1.

[0054]FIG. 29 shows an enlarged portion of the developed view of FIG. 28.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0055] The illustrated embodiment of a zoom lens barrel, an exploded perspective view of which is shown in FIG. 1, is a telescoping zoom lens barrel of a digital camera.

[0056] As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 8 through 10, the zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a photographing optical system constructed of three lens groups: a first lens group L1, a second lens group L2, and a third lens group L3, in that order from the object side (the left side as viewed in FIGS. 8 through 10). The first and second lens groups L1 and L2 are driven to move along an optical axis O relative to the third lens group L3 while varying the distance therebetween to perform a zooming operation. The third lens group L3 serves as a focusing lens group, and is driven to move along the optical axis O to perform a focusing operation.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, the zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a stationary barrel (ring member) 11, a shaft holding member 12, a CCD holding frame 13, a low-pass filter 14, a rectangular sealing member 15, a CCD 16 and a CCD pressure plate 17, which are all stationary members fixed to a camera body (not shown) Namely, none of these elements either move along an optical axis O (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) nor rotate about the optical axis O. The stationary barrel 11 is fixed to the camera body by set screws. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the stationary barrel 11 is provided with an outer cylindrical portion 11 b and a gutter-shaped gear holding portion 11 c. Three cam grooves 11 a are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 11 b at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the stationary barrel 11. The outer cylindrical portion 11 b is further provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof with three linear guide grooves 11 d extending parallel to the optical axis O. Three linear guide keys 27 a formed on a second ring (outer ring) 27 are respectively engaged in the three linear guide grooves lid. The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a vertical motor 18 having a rotating shaft extending in a vertical direction of the camera (the vertical direction as viewed in FIG. 1). A drive gear 19 a of a reduction gear train 19 engaged with the rotating shaft of the vertical motor 18 is mounted on the gear holding portion 11 c to partly project into the inside of the stationary barrel 11 through a through hole (not shown) on an upper surface of the stationary barrel 11.

[0058] The low-pass filter 14, the sealing member 15 and the CCD 16 are fixed to the rear face of the CCD holding frame 13 with the CCD pressure plate 17.

[0059] The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a rotational ring (rotation transfer ring) 20 on which a circumferential gear portion 20 a meshing with the drive gear 19 a is formed. The rotational ring 20 is positioned in the rear of the stationary barrel 11 to be freely rotatable about the optical axis O without moving in the direction of the optical axis O (i.e., in the optical axis direction) with respect to the stationary barrel 11. Three rotation-transmission arms 20 b project forwards from the rotational ring 20 at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the rotational ring 20. Each of the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b is provided on an inner surface thereof with a rotation-transmission groove 20 c extending parallel to the optical axis O.

[0060] The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided in the stationary barrel 11 with a cam ring (lens support ring) 22 positioned in front of the rotational ring 20. As shown in FIG. 11A, the cam ring 22 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof in the rear end of the cam ring 22, with three bottomed engaging recesses 22 a shaped to substantially correspond to the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b. The rear end of each engaging recess 22 a is formed as an open end. The radial depth of each engaging recess 22 a is substantially the same as the radial thickness of each rotation-transmission arm 20 b. The cam ring 22 is provided in the vicinity of the rear end thereof with an annular wall (outer flange) 23 projecting radially outwards from the cam ring 22. The cam ring 22 is provided on a front surface of the annular wall 23 with three bayonet prongs 24 each being elongated in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22 and having an L-shaped cross section. The cam ring 22 is provided, between an inner surface of the annular wall 23 and the three engaging recesses 22 a and between the three bayonet prongs 24 and the set of engaging recesses 22 a, with three slots S (see FIG. 14) penetrating therethrough in the optical axis direction so that the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b are held between radial-bottom surfaces of the three engaging recesses 22 a and the respective inner surfaces of the annular wall 23 in the three slots S to be movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam ring 22, respectively. Each slot S has an arc shape which extends in a circumferential direction as viewed from the front (or rear) of the zoom lens barrel 10. The cam ring 22 is provided in the three engaging recesses 22 a with three guide keys 22 b which extend in the optical axis direction to be slidably engaged with the three rotation-transmission grooves 20 c, respectively. The cam ring 22 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22, with three follower pins (first cam followers) 22 f which extend radially outwards to be engaged in the three cam grooves 11 a of the stationary barrel 11, respectively. The front-end portion of the guide key 22 b is positioned in the slot S.

[0061] The three rotation-transmission arms 20 b of the rotational ring 20 are slidably engaged in the three engaging recesses 22 a to be freely movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam ring 22 with the three guide keys 22 b being engaged in the three rotation-transmission grooves 20 c, respectively. The three rotation-transmission arms 20 b are respectively prevented from coming off the three engaging recesses 22 a radially outwards by the annular wall 23, which is positioned radially outside the three engaging recesses 22 a.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a biasing ring 21 which is fitted on the rear end of the cam ring 22 to be positioned behind the annular wall 23. The biasing ring 21 is provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof with three recesses 21 a in which the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b are respectively inserted to be freely slidable in the optical axis direction. The biasing ring 21 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the biasing ring 21, with three recesses 21 b. The biasing ring 21 is further provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the biasing ring 21, with three follower pins 21 f in the close vicinity of the three recesses 21 b, respectively. The three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 are engaged in the three recesses 21 b.

[0063] The biasing ring 21 is provided, on a front surface thereof at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the biasing ring 21, with three spring-support projections 21 c, and the cam ring 22 is provided in the rear thereof with three spring-support recesses (not shown) formed to correspond to the three spring-support projections 21 c. One end of each of the three compression helical springs 26 are inserted into the three spring-support recesses while the other ends thereof are fitted on the three spring-support projections 21 c so that the three compression helical springs 26 are held under compression between the three spring-support recesses and the biasing ring 21. Accordingly, the cam ring 22 is always biased toward the front of the optical axis direction, while the biasing ring 21 is biased toward the rear of the optical axis direction. Namely, the cam ring 22 and the biasing ring 21 are biased in opposite directions away from each other along the optical axis O by the three compression helical springs 26.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 28, the three follower pins 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 are engaged in the three cam grooves 11 a of the stationary barrel 11 at different circumferential positions, respectively. Each cam groove 11 a includes a linear groove portion 11 a 1, an accommodation groove portion 11 a 2, a position-changing groove portion (photographing preparation groove portion) 11 a 3 and a zooming groove portion 11 a 4. The linear groove portion 11 a 1 extends in the optical axis direction. The accommodation groove portion 11 a 2 extends in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22. The position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the optical axis O and a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22. The zooming groove portion 11 a 4 extends in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22, i.e., extends parallel to the accommodation groove portion 11 a 2. The three follower pins 21 f and the three follower pins 22 f are inserted into the three cam grooves 11 a via the linear groove portions 11 a 1 thereof, respectively.

[0065] In a state where the follower pins 21 f and the follower pins 22 f are respectively engaged in the accommodation groove portions 11 a 2 (i.e., in a state where the cam ring 22 is in an accommodation position/fully-retracted position), a forward rotation of the motor 18 causes the rotational ring 20 to rotate in a direction to extend the zoom lens barrel 10 relative to the stationary barrel 11. This causes the rotational ring 20 to transfer the rotational motion thereof to the cam ring 22 due to the engagement of the three guide keys 22 b of the cam ring 22 in the three rotation-transmission grooves 20 c of the rotational ring 20, respectively, so that the rotational ring 20, the biasing ring 21 and the cam ring 22 rotate together about the optical axis O. Further forward rotation of the motor 18 causes each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 to move from the accommodation groove portion 11 a 2 to the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3, so that the cam ring 22 moves forward in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis O. Further forward rotation of the motor 18 causes each follower pin 21 f and each follower pin 22 f to move from the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 to the zooming groove portion 11 a 4, so that the cam ring 22 rotates about the optical axis O without further moving in the optical axis direction in accordance with the cam profile of the zooming groove portion 11 a 4.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where both the follower pins 21 f and the follower pins 22 f are engaged in the accommodation groove portions 11 a 2 (i.e., in a state where the cam ring 22 is in the accommodation position), the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b are fully fitted (accommodated) in the three engaging recesses 22 a with the front end surface of the circumferential gear portion 20 a of the rotational ring 20 being in contact with the rear end surface of the biasing ring 21. In this state, the movement of the follower pins 21 f and the follower pins 22 f to the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 via the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 causes the cam ring 22 and the biasing ring 21 to move together forwards to enter a photographing position as shown in FIG. 13, with the rotational ring 20 remaining in the rear of the stationary barrel 11.

[0067] Thereafter, a reverse rotation of the motor 18 causes the follower pins 21 f and the follower pins 22 f to move from the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 toward the accommodation groove portions 11 a 2, performing a movement reverse to the above-described movement. At the same time, the rotational ring 20, the biasing ring 21 and the cam ring 22 move from the photographing state shown in FIG. 13 to the accommodation position shown in FIG. 12.

[0068] In the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, the rotational ring 20, the biasing ring 21, the cam ring 22 and a barrier drive ring 44 are rotatable elements. The remaining movable elements, except for a second lens group moving frame 31, linearly move in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O. The second lens group moving frame 31 can slightly rotate about the optical axis O. Such linearly moving elements and linear guiding mechanisms thereof will be hereinafter discussed.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, the zoom lens barrel 10 is provided between the stationary barrel 11 and the cam ring 22 with the second ring 27 and a first ring (inner ring) 28 positioned in the second ring 27. The second ring 27, which is positioned just inside the stationary barrel 11, is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof at the rear end of the second ring 27, with three bayonet prongs 27 c (only of which appears in FIG. 8) which are engaged with the three bayonet prongs 24 of the cam ring 22, respectively. Due to the engagement of the three bayonet prongs 27 c with the three bayonet prongs 24, the second ring 27 is relatively rotatable about the optical axis O with respect to the cam ring 22, and does not relatively move in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam ring 22.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, the second ring 27 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at the rear end of the second ring 27, with the three linear guide keys 27 a. The three linear guide keys 27 a are formed on the second ring 27 at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the second ring 27 to be respectively engaged in the three linear guide grooves lid. The second ring 27 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O with respect to the stationary barrel 11 due to the engagement of the three linear guide keys 27 a with the three linear guide grooves 11 d.

[0071] The second ring 27 is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the second ring 27, with three linear guide grooves 27 b which extend parallel to the optical axis O. The first ring 28 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof, at the rear end of the first ring 28 at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the first ring 28, with three cylindrical projections 28 a which are engaged in the three linear guide grooves 27 b, respectively. The first ring 28 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O with respect to the second ring 27 due to the engagement of the three linear guide grooves 27 b with the three cylindrical projections 28 a. Each of the three cylindrical projections 28 a is provided with a radial hole 28 a into which a follower pin 28 f (see FIGS. 8 through 10) is press-fitted.

[0072] The first ring 28 is provided in the vicinity of the front end thereof with an inner flange 28 b which extends radially inwards and to which a barrier unit 43 and the barrier drive ring 44 are fixed. The first ring 28 is provided therein, on a rear surface of the inner flange 28 b, with three guiding members 28 e (only one of them is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 8) which extend in the optical axis direction. The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a first lens group moving frame 29 which holds the first lens group L1 via a first lens group supporting frame 32. The first lens group moving frame 29 is positioned in the first ring 28 to be surrounded and supported by the three guiding members 28 e to be slidably guided thereby in the optical axis direction. Specifically, the first lens group moving frame 29 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at the front end of the first lens group moving frame 29 at equi-angular intervals in a circumferential direction of the first lens group moving frame 29, with three linear guide grooves 29 a which extend parallel to the optical axis O, and three linear guide keys 28 d which are formed on inner surfaces of the three guiding members 28 e to extend parallel to the optical axis O are slidably engaged in the three linear guide grooves 29 a, respectively, so that the first lens group moving frame 29 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O by the first ring 28.

[0073] The inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28 is provided on a rear face thereof, at equi-angular intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the first ring 28, with three spring-support protrusions 28 c (see FIGS. 8 through 10), and the first lens group moving frame 29 is provided, on a front end surface thereof at positions thereon facing the set of spring support protrusions 28 c, with three spring-support recesses 29 b which are formed at equi-angular intervals in a circumferential direction of the first lens group moving frame 29. Three helical compression springs 30 serving as a biasing device are inserted to be held between the three spring-support protrusions 28 c and the three spring-support recesses 29 b, respectively, to press the first lens group moving frame 29 rearwards in the optical axis direction. The first lens group moving frame 29 is provided at the rear end thereof with three cutout portions 29 i in which three engaging projections 31 h formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second lens group moving frame 31 at the rear end thereof are positioned, respectively (see FIG. 24).

[0074] The second lens group moving frame 31 that supports the second lens group L2 is fitted in the first lens group moving frame 29. The second lens group moving frame 31 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof at the front end of the outer peripheral surface, with three linear guide keys 31 a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which are slidably engaged in three linear guide grooves of four linear guide grooves 29 c (only one of them appears in each of FIGS. 21A through 21J) which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the first lens group moving frame 29 to extend parallel to the optical axis O. Due to the engagement of the three linear guide keys 31 a with the three linear guide grooves 29 c, the second lens group moving frame 31 is guided linearly without rotating about the optical axis O by the first lens group moving frame 29.

[0075] As can be understood from the above description, according to the above described linear guiding mechanisms, the second ring 27 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O via the stationary barrel 11, the first ring 28 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O via the second ring 27, the first lens group moving frame 29 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O via the first ring 28, and the second lens group moving frame 31 is guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O via the first lens group moving frame 29, in that order from the outside to the inside of the zoom lens barrel 10.

[0076] The first lens group moving frame 29 is provided at the front end thereof with an inner flange 29 g which extends radially inwards to form a circular aperture having the center thereof about the optical axis O. As shown in FIG. 1, a female thread portion 29 d is formed on an inner peripheral face of the inner flange 29 g. A lens pressure ring 32 a is fixed to the rear end surface of the first lens group supporting frame 32 that holds the first lens group L1. The first lens group supporting frame 32 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with a male thread portion which is in mesh with the female thread portion 29 d of the inner flange 29 g. The first lens group supporting frame 32 is cemented to the first lens group moving frame 29 by adhesive after the thread engagement position of the male thread portion of the first lens group supporting frame 32 with respect to the female thread portion 29 d of the inner flange 29 g has been adjusted during assembly.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, the second lens group moving frame 31 is provided on a rear end wall thereof, at the center of the rear end wall, with a cylindrical portion 31 b, the front and rear ends thereof being open. An annular recess 31 c is formed between an outer circumferential wall of the second lens group moving frame 31 and the cylindrical portion 31 b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second lens group L2 consists of two separate lens elements, a spacer ring 33 being positioned therebetween. The two lens elements of the second lens group L2 together with the spacer ring 33 are fitted in the cylindrical portion 31 b to be fixed therein. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second lens group moving frame 31 is provided on the rear end wall thereof with a first cutout portion 31 d in the shape of an arc, and is provided, across the outer circumferential wall and the rear end wall of the second lens group moving frame 31, with a second cutout portion 31 e which is larger than the first cutout portion 31 d.

[0078] The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided in the annular recess 31 c of the second lens group moving frame 31 with a shutter unit 36. As shown in FIG. 2, a shutter support ring 35, positioned between the shutter unit 36 and the second lens group moving frame 31, is provided on a front surface of a ring portion 35 a thereof with a support member 35 b which projects forward from the ring portion 35 a to support the shutter unit 36. The shutter support ring 35 is provided on a rear surface of the ring portion 35 a with a flexible printed wiring board (flexible PWB) fixing member 35 c which extends rearward from the ring portion 35 a. The shutter support ring 35 is provided at the center of the ring portion 35 a with a circular aperture 35 d in which the cylindrical portion 31 b is fitted. The shutter support ring 35 is loosely fitted in the annular recess 31 c to be freely rotatable about the optical axis O with respect to the second lens group moving frame 31 with the cylindrical portion 31 b being fitted in the circular aperture 35 d and with the flexible PWB fixing member 35 c extending through the rear end wall of the second lens group moving frame 31 through the first cutout portion 31 d. As shown in FIG. 2, the shutter support ring 35 is provided on the support member 35 b with a linear guide key 35 e extending parallel to the optical axis O. The linear guide key 35 e is engaged in one of the four linear guide grooves 29 c, in which the linear guide key 31 a which is not engaged, to be freely and slidably movable therein in the optical axis direction. Accordingly, the shutter support ring 35 is not rotatable about the optical axis O since the first lens group moving frame 29 is not rotatable about the optical axis O either.

[0079] The shutter unit 36 is mounted on the support member 35 b, and is fixed to the support member 35 b by two set screws 35 f as shown in FIG. 2.

[0080] The second lens group moving frame 31 is provided, on the outer circumferential wall thereof in the vicinity of the front end of the outer circumferential wall, with three engaging holes 31 i positioned on a circle about the optical axis O. A shutter pressure plate 37 positioned in front of the shutter unit 36 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface thereof, with three engaging projections 37 a which are elastically engaged in the three engaging holes 31 i, respectively. The shutter support ring 35 and the shutter unit 36 are prevented from coming off the annular recess 31 c by the shutter pressure plate 37 in a manner such that the shutter pressure plate 37 closes the front end of the annular recess 31 c with the three engaging projections 37 a being engaged in the three engaging holes 31 i (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

[0081] The shutter pressure plate 37 is provided on a front surface thereof with three engaging protrusions 37 b. A low-frictional ring sheet 38 is fixed to a front annular surface of the shutter pressure plate 37 to be held between the three engaging protrusions 37 b and the front annular surface of the shutter pressure plate 37. The low-frictional ring sheet 38 is made of a low-frictional material such as a tetrafluoroethylene resin.

[0082] The shutter unit 36 is provided with shutter blades 36 a (see FIGS. 8 through 10). The shutter unit 36 drives the shutter blades 36 a to open and close in accordance with information on an object brightness. The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided therein with a flexible printed wiring board (flexible PWB) F, one end (front end) of which is fixed to the shutter unit 36 (see FIGS. 8 through 10). A drive signal is given to the shutter unit 36 via the flexible PWB F. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, the flexible PWB F extends rearward from the shutter unit 36 on an upper surface of the flexible PWB fixing member 35 c therealong, and bends radially inwards to subsequently extend forward. Subsequently, the flexible PWB F is fixed to a lower surface of the flexible PWB fixing member 35 c with adhesive tape, and bends radially inwards to extend rearward. Subsequently, the flexible PWB F extends through the CCD holding frame 13 via a through-slot 13 a (see FIG. 1) formed thereon, and bends radially outwards to extend upwards along a rear surface of the CCD holding frame 13. Subsequently, flexible PWB F bends to extend forward and above the stationary barrel 11. The second lens group moving frame 31 is provided on a rear surface thereof with a flexible PWB support member 31 j (see FIG. 8) for supporting (taking up) the slack of the flexible PWB.

[0083] The zoom lens barrel 10 is provided with a third lens frame 39 to which the third lens group L3 is fixed. As shown in FIG. 1, the third lens frame 39 is guided in the optical axis direction via a pair of linear guide rods 40 which extend parallel to the optical axis O. The front and rear ends of each linear guide rod 40 are fixed to the shaft holding member 12 and the CCD holding frame 13, respectively. The third lens frame 39 is driven to move in the optical axis direction by rotation of a feed screw shaft 41 which is driven forward and backward by a step motor (not shown) in accordance with information on a photographing distance.

[0084] A zooming operation is carried out by moving the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 (the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31) in the optical axis direction relative to the third lens group L3 while varying the distance therebetween. The cam ring 22 is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof at equi-intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22, with three lens-drive cam grooves (first cam grooves) C1. The first lens group moving frame 29 and the second lens group moving frame 31, which are guided linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O, move in the optical axis direction by rotation of the cam ring 22 in accordance with the profiles of the lens-drive cam grooves C1. FIG. 20 shows a developed view of the lens-drive cam grooves C1. The zoom lens barrel 10 is characterized in that each lens-drive cam groove C1 is formed as a continuous bottomed groove to have respective cam groove portions for the first and second lens groups L1 and L2, and that the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 are released from the constraints of the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 at their respective accommodation positions so that the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 can be accommodated to be positioned close to each other until the first lens group supporting frame 32 and the second lens group moving frame 31 come into contact with each other.

[0085] Namely, three follower pins 29 f which are projected radially outwards from the first lens group moving frame 29 and three follower pins 31 f which are projected radially outwards from the second lens group moving frame 31 are slidably engaged in the three lens-drive cam grooves C1, respectively. Each lens-drive cam groove C1, which is formed as a continuous bottomed groove, has a function to move the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 in their respective zoom paths. Unlike the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel 10, in a conventional zoom lens barrel having a cam ring for driving a plurality of movable lens groups, a set of cam grooves is necessary for each of the plurality of movable lens groups.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 20, each lens-drive cam groove C1 is provided at one end thereof with an insertion end Cle via which one of the three follower pins 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 and one of the three follower pins 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 are inserted into the lens-drive cam groove C1. Each lens-drive cam groove C1 is further provided with a first-lens-group zooming section (front lens group moving section/photographing section) C1Z1, a second-lens-group zooming section (rear lens group moving section/photographing section) C1Z2, a first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1, a connecting portion C1A2, and a second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2, in that order from the insertion end C1 e. The opposite ends (left and right ends as viewed in FIG. 20) of the first-lens-group zooming section C1Z1 determines a telephoto extremity Z1T and a wide-angle extremity Z1W of the first lens group L1, respectively. The opposite ends (left and right ends as viewed in FIG. 20) of the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 determines a telephoto extremity Z2T and a wide-angle extremity Z2W of the second lens group L2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 20, in this particular embodiment of the zoom lens barrel 10, the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22 when driving each of the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 from the accommodation position to the telephoto extremity is predetermined at 178 degrees, and the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22 when driving each of the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 from the wide-angle extremity to the telephoto extremity is determined at 70 degrees.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 20, the width of the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 of the lens-drive cam groove C1 in the optical axis direction (the vertical direction as viewed in FIG. 20) is greater than the width of the other portions of the lens-drive cam groove C1 so that the associated follower pin 29 f can move freely in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1. Namely, the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 extends in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22, and also widens in the optical axis direction to form a clearance for the associated follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to be movable in the optical axis direction by an amount of movement corresponding to the range of adjustment of the thread engagement position of the male thread portion of the first lens group supporting frame 32 with respect to the female thread portion 29 d of the inner flange 29 g. The second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2, which is one end of the connecting portion C1A2 on the side opposite from the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1, is shaped to form a clearance for the associated follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 to be slightly movable both in the optical axis direction and in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22 when the associated follower pin 31 f is engaged in the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 16, which shows a developed view of the outer peripheral surface of the cam ring 22, the three engaging recesses 22 a of the cam ring 22 are formed so as not to interfere with the three cam grooves (second cam grooves) C2, which are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring 22 so as to have a substantially V-shaped profile (cam path) in a development view as shown in FIG. 16. The front end of each engaging recess 22 a is positioned just behind an adjacent peak (frontmost peak portion) C2E of the associated cam groove C2 which is the frontmost portion of the cam groove C2. The front end of each engaging recess 22 a is formed to have an oblique surface 22 a-1 so that each engaging recess 22 a does not interfere with the associated cam grooves C2. The front end portion of each rotation-transmission arm 20 b is formed to have an oblique cutout portion 20 d which is shaped to correspond to the oblique surface 22 a-1 of the engaging recess 22 a (See FIG. 11B). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, the three guide keys 22 b are provided in the close vicinity of the three bayonet prongs 24, and are each formed so as to extend along an extension line Z which extends parallel to the optical axis through the corresponding peak C2E. In other words, the three guide keys 22 b are each provided at a circumferential position of longest portion of a corresponding engaging recess 22 a in a direction parallel to the optical axis. Accordingly, since the three guide keys 22 b can be made long in the direction parallel to the optical axis, the linear guidance precision thereof can be increased.

[0089] The relative angular positions of the three follower pins 29 f and the three follower pins 31 f about the optical axis O are determined so that each follower pin 29 f and each follower pin 31 f are respectively positioned in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 and the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2 when the cam ring 22 is positioned in an accommodation position thereof (see FIG. 20). The first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 and the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2, to some extent, do not constrain movement of the associated follower pins 29 f and 31 f, respectively. Namely, each follower pin 29 f and each follower pin 31 f can move in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 and the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2, respectively, in the optical axis direction because of the clearance formed between each groove portion and the associated follower pin. This clearance contributes to further miniaturization of the length of the zoom lens barrel 1 in an accommodation position thereof.

[0090] Since the three helical compression springs 30 press the first lens group moving frame 29 rearwards in the optical axis direction as described above, the lens pressure ring 32 a that is supported by the first lens group moving frame 29, can retract up to a mechanically contacting point P (see FIG. 8) where the lens pressure ring 32 a comes in contact with the low-frictional ring sheet 38 that is fixed to the front surface of the shutter pressure plate 37, due to the clearance between the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 of each lens-drive cam groove C1 of the cam ring 22 and the associated follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29. Likewise, the flexible PWB support member 31 j of the second lens group moving frame 31 can retract up to a mechanically contacting point Q (see FIG. 8) where the second lens group moving frame 31 comes in contact with the third lens frame 39 due to a clearance between the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2 of each lens-drive cam groove C1 of the cam ring 22 and the associated follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31.

[0091] Due to such structures of the mechanically contacting points P and Q, the length of the zoom lens barrel 10 in an accommodation position thereof is successfully reduced as compared with a conventional zoom lens barrel in which the respective accommodation positions of first and second lens groups which correspond to the first and second lens groups L1 and L2 of the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel are precisely determined by associated cam grooves. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the third lens frame 39 can retract up to a mechanically contacting point R where the third lens frame 39 comes in contact with the CCD holding frame 13 while compressing a helical compression spring 42, which is fitted on the feed screw shaft 41 to be positioned between the third lens frame 39 and the CCD holding frame 13 to bias the third lens frame 39 forward.

[0092]FIG. 8 shows an accommodation position of the zoom lens barrel 10 where the first lens group moving frame 29 (lens pressure ring 32 a) is in contact with the low-frictional ring sheet 38, where the second lens group moving frame 31 is in contact with the third lens frame 39, and where the third lens frame 39 is in contact with the CCD holding frame 13.

[0093] The amount of rearward movement of the first lens group moving frame 29 relative to the second lens group moving frame 31 depends on the position of the first lens group supporting frame 32 relative to the first lens group moving frame 29, since the position of the second lens group supporting frame 32 relative to the first lens group moving frame 29 varies by an adjustment of the thread engagement position of the male thread portion of the first lens group supporting frame 32 with respect to the female thread portion 29 d of the inner flange 29 g during assembly. Such a variation due to the adjustment is absorbed by extension or compression of the helical compression springs 30 so that the zoom lens barrel 10 can be accommodated with the lens pressure ring 32 a, the second lens group moving frame 31, and the third lens frame 39 being in contact with the low-frictional ring sheet 38, the third lens frame 39, and the CCD holding frame 13 at the mechanically contacting points P, Q and R, respectively.

[0094] If the cam ring 22 rotates in a direction from the accommodation position toward a photographing position in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4, each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 which is engaged in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 moves from the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 to the first-lens-group zooming section C1Z1 via the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2, while each follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 which is engaged in the connecting portion C1A2 moves from the connecting portion C1A2 to the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 via the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1. Accordingly, the second-lens-group zooming sections C1Z2 of the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 that are used for driving the three follower pins 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 are used as mere passing sections for the three follower pins 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 via which the three follower pins 29 f move from the first-lens-group accommodation position to the photographing position. The above-described structure which provides such passing sections is advantageous to reduce the number of cam grooves which are to be formed on the cam ring 22, which is in turn advantageous to reduce the angle of inclination of each cam groove with respect to a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22.

[0095] The first ring 28 moves in the optical axis direction independent of the first lens group moving frame 29 in a moving path which is substantially the same as the moving path of the first lens group moving frame 29. Accordingly, the cam ring 22 is provided, on an outer peripheral surface at equi-intervals (intervals of 120 degrees) in a circumferential direction thereof, with the three cam grooves C2 (see FIGS. 16 through 19). The first ring 28 is provided, on an inner peripheral surface at equi-intervals in a circumferential direction thereof, with three follower pins 28 f which are slidably engaged in the three cam grooves C2 of the cam ring 22, respectively. The profiles of the cam grooves C2 resemble those of the lens-drive cam grooves C1. As shown in FIG. 17A, each cam groove C2 is provided at one end thereof with an insertion end C2 e via which one of the three follower pins 28 f of the first ring 28 is inserted into the cam groove C2. Each cam groove C2 is further provided with a first section C2Z1 which corresponds to the first-lens-group zooming section C1Z1, a second section C2Z2 which corresponds to the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2, and a barrier drive section C2B. The barrier drive section C2B extends in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22, so that the cam ring 22 rotates about the optical axis O without moving in the optical axis direction relative to the first ring 28 as long as each follower pin 28 f is engaged in the barrier drive section C2B. As shown in FIG. 16, in this particular embodiment of the zoom lens barrel 10, the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22 when driving the first ring 28 from the accommodation position to the telephoto extremity is predetermined at 178 degrees, and the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22 when driving the first ring 28 from the wide-angle extremity to the telephoto extremity is determined at 70 degrees.

[0096] By providing the first ring 28, which extends forward so that an outer peripheral surface thereof is exposed to the outside of the zoom lens barrel 10, as an element separate from the first lens group moving frame 29, and by guiding the first ring 28 in the optical axis direction via a cam mechanism independent of the first lens group moving frame 29 as described above, external forces applied to the first ring 28 can be prevented from being transferred to the first lens group L1 via the first lens group moving frame 29, which in turn prevents deterioration in optical performance of the zoom lens barrel 10 due to eccentricity of the optical axis of the first lens group L1. In addition, the structure of the cam ring 22 wherein the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 and the three cam grooves C2, whose cam profiles are similar (though differing slightly in shape) to each other, are formed on the cam ring 22 in slightly different positions thereon in the optical axis direction does not increase the wall thickness of the cam ring 22. Moreover, external forces applied to the first ring 28 rearward in the optical axis direction can be received by the first lens group moving frame 29 via the three follower pins 29 f.

[0097] Furthermore, since the three follower pins 28 f, which are respectively engaged in the three cam grooves C2, and the three follower pins 29 f, which are respectively engaged in the three lens-drive cam grooves C1, are respectively aligned side by side in a direction parallel to the optical axis O, the strength of the spring force of the three helical compression springs 30 that are held between the first ring 28 and the first lens group moving frame 29 to bias the first ring 28 and the first lens group moving frame 29 in opposite directions away from each other varies little even if the cam ring 22 rotates relative to the first ring 28 and the first lens group moving frame 29.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 1, the barrier unit 43 includes a barrier blade support front plate 45, a pair of barrier blades 46, two torsion springs 47 and a barrier blade support rear plate 48, and is fixed to the front end of the first ring 28 to be positioned therein, in front of the inner flange 28 b. The barrier drive ring 44 is positioned in the first ring 28 and held between the barrier unit 43 and the inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28 to be rotatable freely about the optical axis O. The cam ring 22 is provided at the front end thereof with three recesses 22 k (see FIGS. 16 through 20). The barrier drive ring 44 is provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof with three engaging portions 44 a. The cam ring 22 is provided at one end of each recesses 22 k with a rotation transfer face 22 d which extends parallel to the optical axis O and extends through a corresponding circumferential slot 28 z (see FIG. 1) formed on the inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28. As shown in FIGS. 16 through 20, the three recesses 22 k are formed on the cam ring 22 at portions thereon other than the portions where the three cam grooves C2 are formed.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 1, the barrier unit 43, which includes the barrier blade support front plate 45, the pair of barrier blades 46, the two torsion springs 47 and the barrier blade support rear plate 48, is formed as a single assembly in advance. The barrier blade support front plate 45 is provided at the center thereof with a photographing aperture 45 a, and is further provided, on a rear surface thereof on opposite sides of the photographing aperture 45 a, with two bosses (not shown), respectively, which extend rearwards. Each barrier blade 46 is provided at one end thereof with a hole in which one of the two bosses is engaged so that each barrier blade 46 is rotatable about the associated boss. The two torsion springs 47 bias the pair of barrier blades 46 to rotate in opposite rotational directions to shut the pair of barrier blades 46, respectively. The pair of barrier blades 46 are supported between the barrier blade support front plate 45 and the barrier blade support rear plate 48. The barrier blade support rear plate 48 is provided at the center thereof with a central aperture which is aligned with the photographing aperture 45 a in the optical axis direction, and is further provided on opposite sides of the central aperture with two slots 48 a. Each barrier blade 46 is provided in the vicinity of the associated boss with an engaging projection 46 a (only one of which appears in FIGS. 8 through 10) which extends rearward, toward the barrier drive ring 44, to pass through the associated slot 48 a of the barrier blade support rear plate 48.

[0100] The barrier drive ring 44 is biased to rotate in a direction to open the pair of barrier blades 46 by a helical extension spring 49 whose opposite ends are hooked on an engaging projection 44 b formed on the barrier drive ring 44 and an engaging projection 28 h formed on a front surface of the inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28. The spring force of the helical extension spring 49 is greater than the total spring force of the two torsion springs 47. The two drive projections 44 c of the barrier drive ring 44 come into contact with the two engaging projections 46 a of the pair of barrier blades 46 to open the pair of barrier blades 46, respectively, when the barrier drive ring 44 is in a fully rotated position thereof due to the spring force of the helical extension spring 49. If the barrier drive ring 44 is rotated in a direction to close the pair of barrier blades 46 against the spring force of the helical extension spring 49, the two drive projections 44 c respectively move away from the two engaging projections 46 a of the pair of barrier blades 46 so that the pair of barrier blades 46 are closed by the spring force of the two torsion springs 47.

[0101] The three rotation transfer faces 22 d of the cam ring 22 respectively come into contact with the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 to press the three engaging portions 44 a against the spring force of the helical extension spring 49 to rotate the barrier drive ring 44. When the cam ring 22 is in the accommodation position thereof, the three rotation transfer faces 22 d are respectively in contact with the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 via the three circumferential slots 28 z formed on the inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28. The barrier drive ring 44 is rotated about the optical axis O against the spring force of the helical extension spring 49 to close the pair of barrier blades 46. If the cam ring 22 rotates about the optical axis O in a barrier opening direction (counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the zoom lens barrel 10) with respect to the first ring 28, with the three follower pins 28 f being respectively engaged within the barrier drive sections C2B of the three cam grooves C2 of the cam ring 22, the three rotation transfer faces 22 d are respectively disengaged from the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 so that the barrier drive ring 44 is rotated in a direction to open the pair of barrier blades 46 by the spring force of the helical extension spring 49.

[0102] The barrier unit 43 having the above described structure is fitted into the front end opening of the first ring 28 from the front thereof. The barrier blade support front plate 44 is provided on an outer peripheral edge thereof with a plurality of engaging portions which are respectively engaged with a corresponding plurality of hooks (not shown) formed on an inner peripheral surface of the front end opening of the first ring 28 to prevent the barrier unit 43 from coming off the front of the first ring 28. The barrier drive ring 44 is held between the barrier unit 43 and the inner flange 28 b of the first ring 28 to be rotatable about the optical axis O.

[0103] As has been described above, the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 (see FIG. 28) of each cam groove 11 a of the stationary barrel 11 extends in a circumferential direction of the stationary barrel 11 and does not extend in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the cam ring 22 rotates about the optical axis O without moving in the optical axis direction when the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 and the three follower pins 21 f of the biasing ring 21 follow the three zooming groove portions 11 a 4 of the three cam grooves 11 a in the zooming section, respectively. In the zooming section that is determined by the zooming groove portion 11 a 4, it is necessary to remove backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the zooming groove portions 11 a 4 of the three cam grooves 11 a.

[0104] To remove such backlash and play, each of the three follower pins 21 f and the associated one of the three follower pins 22 f are engaged in a common cam groove of the three cam grooves 11 a of the stationary barrel 11 at slightly different circumferential positions as shown in FIG. 28, and each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 are pressed against a rear side edge of the associated cam groove 11 a and a front side edge of the same cam groove 11 a, respectively, by the spring force of the three compression helical springs 26. Due to this structure wherein the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 are pressed against the front side edges of the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of the three cam grooves 11 a when engaged in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4, backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the zooming groove portions 11 a 4 of the three cam grooves 11 a are removed.

[0105] In addition to the above described structures wherein the three linear guide grooves 29 c are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the first lens group moving frame 29 while the three linear guide keys 31 a, which are respectively engaged in the three linear guide grooves 29 c, are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second lens group moving frame 31, three circumferential recesses 29 h (see FIGS. 21A through 21J) are formed on the first lens group moving frame 29 at the front ends of the three linear guide grooves 29 c, respectively. Each circumferential recess 29 h allows the associated linear guide key 31 a of the second lens group moving frame 31 to move therein in a circumferential direction about the optical axis O, i.e., allows the second lens group moving frame 31 to rotate about the optical axis O relative to the first lens group moving frame 29 in a range corresponding to the circumferential length of the circumferential recess 29 h. The second lens group moving frame 31 can rotate about the optical axis O relative to the first lens group moving frame 29 along the three circumferential recesses 29 h only when the second lens group moving frame 31 is in the vicinity of the accommodation position thereof.

[0106] Note that the first lens group moving frame 29 is provided on the inner flange 29 g thereof with three circumferential slots 29 j (see FIGS. 24 through 27). The second lens group moving frame 31 is provided at the front end thereof with three front projecting portions 31 g on respective outer surfaces on which the three linear guide keys 31 a are formed, respectively. When each linear guide key 31 a is positioned in the associated circumferential recess 29 h, i.e., when the second lens group L2 is in the vicinity of the accommodation position thereof, the three front projecting portions 31 g of the second lens group moving frame 31 extend through the inner flange 29 g of the first lens group moving frame 29 to project forward from the inner flange 29 g via the three circumferential slots 29 j, respectively. Accordingly, allowing the three linear guide keys 31 a to project forward from the inner flange 29 g through the three circumferential slots 29 j, respectively, achieves the short length of the zoom lens barrel 10 in an accommodation position shown in FIG. 8.

[0107] In a state where the zoom lens barrel 10 is in an accommodation position, i.e., where each of the three follower pins 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 is engaged in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 of the associated lens-drive cam groove C1 as shown in FIG. 21A, a rotation of the cam ring 22 in a direction to extend the zoom lens barrel 10 (in a direction indicated by an arrow “X” in FIGS. 21A through 21J, i.e., counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the zoom lens barrel 10) causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to move slightly from the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 toward the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 of the associated lens-drive cam groove C1 as shown in FIG. 21B. At this time, each follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 does not move out from the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2.

[0108] Further rotational movement of the cam ring 22 in the same direction X causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to further move slightly toward the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 while moving rearward slightly in the optical axis direction as shown in FIG. 21C. At the same time, since each follower pin 31 f does not move out from the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the connecting portion C1A2, front end surfaces (upper end surfaces as viewed in FIG. 21C) of the three cutout portions 29 i of the second lens group moving frame 29 come into contact with front end surfaces of the three engaging projections 31 h of the second lens group moving frame 31, respectively, as shown in FIG. 21C.

[0109] Further rotational movement of the cam ring 22 in the same direction X causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to further move slightly toward the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 while moving rearward (downward as viewed in FIG. 21D) in the optical axis direction so that the front end surfaces of the three cutout portions 29 i press the three engaging projections 31 h rearward in the optical axis direction, respectively, to move each follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 in the connecting portion C1A2 from the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 thereof toward the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 as shown in FIG. 21D.

[0110] Further rotational movement of the cam ring 22 in the same direction X causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to move forward in the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 in a left oblique direction with respect to the cam ring 22 as viewed in FIG. 21E, so that the three cutout portions 29 i are respectively disengaged from the three engaging projections 31 h, and at the same times rear end surfaces of the three circumferential recesses 29 h respectively come into contact with rear end surfaces of the three linear guide keys 31 a as shown in FIG. 21E.

[0111] Further rotational movement of the cam ring 22 in the same direction X causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to further move forward in the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 in the same left oblique direction with respect to the cam ring 22 so that the rear end surfaces of the three circumferential recesses 29 h respectively press the rear end surfaces of the three linear guide keys 31 a rearward in the optical axis direction, to thereby move each follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31 in the connecting portion C1A2 back toward the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 thereof as shown in FIG. 21F. At this time, each linear guide keys 31 a of the second lens group moving frame 31 is positioned in the associated linear guide groove 29 c of the first lens group moving frame 29 in the vicinity of the front end thereof.

[0112] During the time the zoom lens barrel 10 moves from the position shown in FIG. 21A to the position shown in FIG. 21F, each linear guide keys 31 a of the second lens group moving frame 31 rotates in the associated circumferential recess 29 h in a circumferential direction of the first lens group moving frame 29 with respect to the first lens group moving frame 29. Rotating the second lens group moving frame 31 with respect to the first lens group moving frame 29 in such a manner makes it possible for the first lens group moving frame 29 to move forward smoothly without interfering with the second lens group moving frame 31. The second lens group moving frame 31 rotates about the optical axis O with respect to the first lens group moving frame 29 by 39 degrees (see FIG. 20) when the zoom lens barrel 10 moves from the position shown in FIG. 21A to the position shown in FIG. 21F.

[0113] Further rotational movement of the cam ring 22 in the same direction X causes each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 to further move forward in the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2 in the same left oblique direction with respect to the cam ring 22 so that each linear guide keys 31 a of the second lens group moving frame 31 is properly engaged in the associated linear guide groove 29 c as shown in FIG. 21G. Thereafter, the first lens group moving frame 29 and the second lens group moving frame 31 are prohibited from rotating relative to each other, while each follower pin 29 f and the associated one of the three follower pins 31 f move in the associated one of the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 in a direction to the left as viewed in FIG. 21G while maintaining a space between the follower pin 29 f and the follower pin 31 f in a circumferential direction.

[0114] Subsequently, if the cam ring 22 continues to rotate in the direction X with each linear guide keys 31 a of the second lens group moving frame 31 being engaged in the associated linear guide groove 29 c of the first lens group moving frame 29, the first lens group moving frame 29 and the second lens group moving frame 31 move linearly in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O while changing a space in the optical axis therebetween by the movement of the three follower pins 29 f and the three follower pins 31 f in the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 in a direction toward the left as shown in FIGS. 21H through 21I. Consequently, each follower pin 29 f and the associated one of the three follower pins 31 f reach their respective wide-angle extremities in the associated one of the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 as shown in FIG. 21J.

[0115] Although not shown in the drawings, each follower pin 29 f and the associated one of the three follower pins 31 f reach their respective telephoto extremities in the associated one of the three lens-drive cam grooves C1 while maintaining a space therebetween in a circumferential direction if the cam ring 22 further continues rotating in the same direction X.

[0116] On the other hand, in a state where the zoom lens barrel 10 is in a photographing position, if the cam ring 22 rotates in a direction to retract the zoom lens barrel 10, i.e., in a direction opposite to the direction X, each follower pin 29 f and each follower pin 31 f move in an order reverse to the above described order, and return to the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 and the connecting portion C1A2, respectively.

[0117]FIG. 22 is a graph showing variations of the angle of rotation of the second lens group moving frame 31 with respect to the cam ring 22 from a state where the second lens group moving frame 31 is in an accommodation position to a state immediately after the three linear guide keys 31 a are respectively engaged in the three linear guide grooves 29 c, i.e., from the position shown in FIG. 21A to the position shown in FIG. 21F. FIG. 23 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of displacement of the first lens group moving frame 29 from the accommodation position thereof (represented by “0” in FIG. 23) in the optical axis direction and the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22, and further showing the relationship between the amount of displacement of the second lens group moving frame 31 from the accommodation position thereof (represented by “0” in FIG. 23) in the optical axis direction and the angle of rotation of the cam ring 22. In each of FIGS. 22 and 23, (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) represent the rotational angles of the cam ring 22 in FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E and 21F, respectively. The term “Limit Angle” shown in each of FIGS. 22 and 23 represents a specific angle of rotation of the cam ring 22, wherein the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 cannot reach their respective telephoto extremities when the three linear guide keys 31 a do not enter the associated linear guide groove 29 c by the time the cam ring 22 has rotated to the specific angle of rotation of the cam ring 22.

[0118] When the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 rotate relative to each other at their respective accommodation positions, friction (frictional resistance) is produced between the lens pressure ring 32 a, which is supported by the first lens group moving frame 29, and the front surface of the shutter pressure plate 37, which is supported by the second lens group moving frame 31 via the shutter unit 36, if a low-frictional element such as the low-frictional ring sheet 38 is not fixed to the front surface of the shutter pressure plate 37, unlike the present invention. Namely, there is a possibility of the axial position of the first lens group supporting frame 32 deviating from the correct position thereof due to rotation thereof which can be caused by friction since the first lens group supporting frame 32 is coupled to the first lens group moving frame 29 via the thread engagement of the male thread portion of the first lens group supporting frame 32 with the female thread portion 29 d of the inner flange 29 g of the first lens group moving frame 29. Nevertheless, in the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, such friction is not produced even if the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 rotate relative to each other at their respective accommodation positions because the low-frictional ring sheet 38 is fixed to the front surface of the shutter pressure plate 37.

[0119] The overall movement of the zoom lens barrel 10, having the above described structure, from the accommodation position to a photographing position (a position in the zooming section) will be hereinafter discussed.

[0120] When the zoom lens barrel 10 is in an accommodation position, the first lens group supporting frame 32 which is supported by the first lens group moving frame 29, which is biased rearward by the three helical compression springs 30, is retracted to the above described mechanically contacting point P, where the lens pressure ring 32 a comes in contact with the low-frictional ring sheet 38 due to the clearance between the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 and the associated follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29. The second lens group moving frame 31 is also retracted to the above described mechanically contacting point Q, where the second lens group moving frame 31 comes in contact with the third lens frame 39 due to the clearance between the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 and the associated follower pin 31 f of the second lens group moving frame 31. Furthermore, the third lens frame 39 is retracted to the above described mechanically contacting point R, where the third lens frame 39 comes in contact against the spring force of the helical compression spring 42 with the helical compression spring 42 being in a compressed (contracted) state. With these three mechanical contacts at the mechanically contacting points P, Q and R, the length of the zoom lens barrel 10 in an accommodation position is successfully reduced. When the zoom lens barrel 10 is in an accommodation position, the pair of barrier blades 46 are closed to shut the photographing aperture 45 a, since the three rotation transfer faces 22 d respectively press the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 against the spring force of the helical extension spring 49 to rotate the barrier drive ring 44 in a direction to move the two drive projections 44 c away from the two engaging projections 46 a of the pair of barrier blades 46, respectively.

[0121] In the accommodation position of the zoom lens barrel 10, when the rotational ring 20 rotates in a direction to extend the zoom lens barrel 10 relative to the stationary barrel 11, the cam ring 22, which is provided with the three follower pins 22 f, and the biasing ring 21, which is provided with the three follower pins 21 f, rotate about the optical axis O in accordance with the cam profile of the accommodation groove portion 11 a 2 of each of the three cam grooves 11 a that are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the stationary barrel 11 (see FIG. 28). This rotational movement of the cam ring 22 causes each follower pin 29 f and the associated follower pin 31 f, which are respectively engaged in the first-lens-group accommodation portion C1A1 of the associated lens-drive cam groove C1 and the second-lens-group-accommodation end portion C1S2 of the same lens-drive cam groove C1, to vary the relative position between the follower pin 29 f and the follower pins 31 f in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22 without varying the position of each of the follower pin 29 f and the follower pins 31 f relative to the cam ring 22 in the optical axis direction (see the transition from (a) to (b) in FIG. 23). Thereafter, each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 enter the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3, so that the cam ring 22 together with the biasing ring 21 moves forward in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis O. This causes the second lens group moving frame 31 to disengage from the third lens frame 39, and almost at the same time, each follower pin 29 f of the first lens group moving frame 29 starts moving rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam ring 22 (see (b) in FIG. 23). As a result, the first lens group moving frame 29 presses the second lens group moving frame 31 rearward in the optical axis direction to move the second lens group moving frame 31 slightly in the rearward direction. The displacement of the second lens group moving frame 31 at this time is very small, and thus is not shown in FIG. 23. In an early stage of this rotation of the cam ring 22 by the position-changing groove portions 11 a 3 of the stationary barrel 11, the three rotation transfer faces 22 d of the cam ring 22 are respectively disengaged from the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 so that the barrier drive ring 44 is rotated in a direction to open the pair of barrier blades 45 by the spring force of the helical extension spring 49 against the spring force of the two torsion springs 47. Meanwhile, the second lens group moving frame 31 rotates about the optical axis O relative to the first lens group moving frame 29 so that the lens pressure ring 32 a fixed to the first lens group supporting frame 32 rotatably slides on the low-frictional ring sheet 38 before and after the opening operation of the pair of barrier blades 46.

[0122] Subsequently, further forward movement of each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 (see FIG. 28) causes the second lens group moving frame 31 to start moving rearward in the optical axis direction (see (c) in FIG. 23). Thereafter, the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 move rearward in the optical axis direction with respect to the cam ring 22 as shown in FIG. 23 (see (c) and (d) in FIG. 23). Subsequently, the mechanical contact between the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 is released at the time the first lens group moving frame 29 moves forward in the optical axis direction (see (d) and (e) in FIG. 23). Subsequently, the mechanical contact between the second lens group moving frame 31 and the third lens frame 39 is released, and thereafter each of the three linear guide keys 31 a is engaged in the associated one of the four linear guide grooves 29 c (see (f) in FIG. 23).

[0123] Thereafter, the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 move to the respective wide-angle extremities thereof in the optical axis direction while maintaining the circumferential space therebetween until each follower pin 21 f and each follower pin 22 f reach the respective wide-angle extremities thereof in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of the associated one of the three cam grooves 11 a that are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the stationary barrel 11 (see FIGS. 21F through 21J).

[0124] Further rotation of the rotational ring 20 causes each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 to move from the respective wide-angle extremities in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 toward the respective telephoto extremities, so that the cam ring 22 rotates about the optical axis O without moving in the optical axis direction. At this stage, if the cam ring 22 rotates in the zooming range (i.e., if each follower pin 29 f and each follower pin 31 f move in the first-lens-group zooming section C1Z1 and the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2, respectively), the first and second lens group moving frames 29 and 31 (the first and second lens groups L1 and L2) move in the optical axis direction in accordance with the cam profiles of the first-lens-group zooming section C1Z1 and the second-lens-group zooming section C1Z2, to thereby vary the focal length of the photographing optical system, i.e., to perform a zooming operation. This zooming operation is carried out by manually operating a conventional zoom switch or knob (not shown). Immediately after a release button is depressed, the aforementioned step motor (not shown), which drives the feed screw shaft 41 to move the third lens group L3 (the third lens frame 39), rotates by an amount of rotation corresponding to information on a photographing distance to move the third lens group L3 to bring an object into focus. The shutter unit 36 drives the shutter blades 36 a (see FIGS. 8, 9 or 10) to open and close in accordance with the information on the object brightness.

[0125] Backlash and play between the three follower pins 21 f of the biasing ring 21, the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 and the zooming groove portions 11 a 4 of the three cam grooves 11 a of the stationary barrel 11 are removed at the time the motor 18 stops during the time each of the three follower pins 21 f and the associated one of the three follower pins 22 f are moving in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of the associated one of the three cam grooves 11 a, since each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and the associated one of the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 are pressed against a rear side edge of the associated cam groove 11 a and a front side edge of the same cam groove 11 a, respectively, over the full range of the cam groove 11 a by the spring force of the three compression helical springs 26 as described above.

[0126] When the first lens group moving frame 29 moves linearly in the optical axis direction, the first ring 28 also moves in the optical axis direction without varying the position thereof relative to the first lens group moving frame 29 due to the engagement of the three follower pins 28 f with the three cam grooves C2 of the cam ring 22, the profiles of which are similar to those of the lens-drive cam grooves C1. At the same time, the first ring 28 and the second ring 27, the respective outer peripheral surfaces of which are exposed to the outside of the zoom lens barrel 10, move together in the optical axis direction since the second ring 27 moves together with the cam ring 22 in the optical axis direction at all times due to the engagement of the three bayonet prongs 27 c of the second ring 27 with the three bayonet prongs 24 of the cam ring 22.

[0127] On the other hand, when the cam ring 22 rotates in a direction from the zooming section via the preparation section (i.e., in the barrier closing direction), the first and second rings 28 and 27 retract together in the optical axis direction by operations reverse to the above described operations. Subsequently, the first lens group moving frame 29, which supports the first lens group L1, and the second lens group moving frame 31, which supports the second lens group L2, come into contact with each other at their respective rear ends via the three helical compression springs 30. Subsequently, the second lens group moving frame 31 retreats until coming into contact with the third lens frame 39. Subsequently, the second lens group moving frame 31 further retreats until the third lens frame 39 comes into contact with the CCD holding frame 13 against the spring force of the helical compression spring 42, which biases the third lens frame 39 forward. At the same time, the three rotation transfer faces 22 d respectively press the three engaging portions 44 a of the barrier drive ring 44 against the spring force of the helical extension spring 49 to rotate the barrier drive ring 44 in a direction to close the pair of barrier blades 46 to shut the photographing aperture 45 a.

[0128] In the above illustrated embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, the cam ring (lens support ring) 22 moves in the optical axis direction while rotating about the optical axis O in a range between the accommodation position and the wide-angle extremity, and only rotates about the optical axis without moving in the optical axis direction in a zooming range between the wide-angle extremity and the telephoto extremity. This operation of the cam ring 22 is achieved by the three follower pins (first cam followers) 22 f, which are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring 22 at the rear end thereof, and the three cam grooves 11 a, which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 11 b of the stationary barrel 11 and in which the three follower pins 22 f are respectively engaged. As has been described above, backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the three cam grooves 11 a are removed with the biasing ring 21 and the three compression helical springs 26. This mechanism for removing such backlash and play will be hereinafter discussed in detail.

[0129] In the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, the three follower pins (second cam followers) 21 f of the biasing ring 21 are respectively engaged in the three cam grooves 11 a, in which the three follower pins 22 f are respectively engaged. Furthermore, each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 and each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 are pressed against a rear side edge (guide surface/rear guide surface) RS of the associated cam groove 11 a and a front side edge (guide surface/front guide surface) FS of the same cam groove 11 a, respectively (see FIGS. 28 and 29). This structure simplifies and miniaturizes of the mechanism for removing backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the set of three cam grooves 11 a. Since the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of each cam groove 11 a is formed to extend only in a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22 (perpendicular to the optical axis) as described above, the spring force of the three compression helical springs 26 is necessary to stabilize the axial position of each follower pin 22 f in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of the associated cam groove 11 a. Therefore, the zoom lens barrel 10 needs to be provided therein with a reaction force receiving portion(s) which receive the reaction force of the three compression helical springs 26. As shown in FIG. 29, in the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, such a reaction force is transferred to the biasing ring 21 via the three compression helical springs 26, and is subsequently transferred to the rear side edges RS of the three cam grooves 11 a via the set of three follower pins 21 f, respectively. In other words, the three cam grooves 11 a themselves serve as the reaction force receiving portions that receive the reaction force of the three compression helical springs 26. This eliminates the necessity for providing any additional elements serving as the reaction force receiving portion(s), thus simplifying the structure of the zoom lens barrel 10.

[0130] The outer diameter of the biasing ring 21 is small, substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the cam ring 22; furthermore, the thickness of the biasing ring 21 is also small. Accordingly, the biasing ring 21 does not consume much space in the zoom lens barrel 10.

[0131] Since the three cam grooves 1 a serve as the reaction force receiving portions that receive the reaction force exerted on the biasing ring 21, the biasing ring 21 that is small enough so as to be able to be an integral part of the cam ring 22 can be adopted. The biasing ring 21 and the cam ring 22 are connected to each other by fitting respective base portions of the three follower pins 22 f of the cam ring 22 in the three recesses 21 b of the biasing ring 21, respectively. This connecting structure is small and simple.

[0132] In the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 is pressed against the front side edge (the side edge on the object side) FS of the associated cam groove 11 a to be guided along the front side edge FS thereon, while each follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 is pressed against the rear side edge (the side edge on the side of an image plane) RS of the associated cam groove 11 a to be guided along the rear side edge RS thereon. An impact (external force) applied to a lens barrel in the optical axis direction is often transferred from the front end to the rear end of the lens barrel, i.e., from the object side to the image plane side. In this case, in the three cam grooves 11 a and in the vicinity thereof, the impact is received by the rear side edges RS of the three cam grooves 11 a via the three follower pins 21 f, respectively. As a result, a portion on the rear side edge RS of each cam groove 11 a against which the associated follower pin 21 f bumps hard may be slightly dented. However, even if the rear side edge RS is dented, this has no effect on the precision in positioning the cam ring 22 in the optical axis direction since the rear side edge RS of each cam groove 11 a does not directly guide the cam ring 22 (namely, the front side edge FS of each cam groove 11 a directly guides the cam ring 22). The axial position of the cam ring 22 on the optical axis O is more important than that of the biasing ring 21 since the cam ring 22 supports lens groups (the first and second lens groups L1 and L2) therein. Unlike the present embodiment, if the three follower pins 22 f are pressed against the rear side edges RS of the three cam grooves 11 a to be guided along the rear side edges RS thereon, respectively, and if a portion on the rear side edge RS against which the associated follower pin 22 f bumps hard is dented, the dented portion would have a substantial and undesirable effect on the precision in positioning the cam ring 22 in the optical axis direction, i.e., in positioning the first and second lens groups L1 and L2. Unlike this structure, i.e., according to the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel 10, no substantial problems occur even if the rear side edge RS is slightly dented as long as the rear side edge RS serves as the reaction force receiving portion.

[0133] As can be seen in FIGS. 28 and 29, the width of each cam groove 11 a on the stationary barrel 11 is greater than the diameter of either follower pin 21 f or 22 f so that none of the follower pins 21 f and 22 f contact the front side edge FS and the rear side edge RS of the associated cam groove 11 a at the same time. Due to this structure, there is little possibility of the front side edge FS or the rear side edge RS being dented by an impact exerted thereon by the associated follower pin 21 f or 22 f if bumped towards either side edge FS or RS due to an external impact on the zoom lens barrel 10.

[0134] As can be seen from FIG. 29, a mutual distance D1 in the optical axis direction between the axis of each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 and the axis of the associated follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 when the follower pins 22 f and 21 f are engaged in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3, is slightly greater than a mutual distance D2 in the optical axis direction between the axis of each follower pin 22 f of the cam ring 22 and the axis of the associated follower pin 21 f of the biasing ring 21 when the follower pins 22 f and 21 f are engaged in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 in the optical axis direction. Due to this structure, a constant and sufficient biasing force for removing backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the three cam grooves 11 a is exerted on the rear side edges RS of the three cam grooves 11 a via the three follower pins 21 f, respectively, by the three compression helical springs 26 when each follower pin 22 f is in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4, whereas such a biasing force for removing backlash and play between the three follower pins 22 f and the three cam grooves 11 a decreases when each follower pin 22 f is in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 since each of the three compression helical spring 26 slightly expands to reduce the biasing force exerted on the three follower pins 21 f and the three follower pins 22 f when each follower pin 22 f is in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3.

[0135] Namely, when the follower pins 21 f and 22 f are positioned in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3, since the slide-friction (resistance) which occurs between each follower pins 21 f, 22 f and the associated cam groove 11 a is reduced, the load on a zoom lens drive system of the zoom lens barrel 10, which includes the motor 18, is lightened.

[0136] This effect is achieved by an arrangement of the three follower pins 21 f and the three follower pins 22 f which are engaged in the three cam grooves 11 a of the stationary barrel 11 at different circumferential positions, respectively, to correspond to the shape (inclination) of the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3. In other words, the respective positions of each follower pin 21 f and the associated follower pin 22 f, which are engaged in the common cam groove 11 a, are constant in the optical axis direction as long as these follower pins 21 f and 22 f are engaged in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4. On the other hand, the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the optical axis O and a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22 to gradually approach the front side of the cam ring 22 with respect to the optical axis O in a direction from the accommodation groove portion 11 a 2 to the zooming groove portion 11 a 4. Therefore, if each follower pin 21 f and the associated follower pin 22 f are arranged in the associated cam groove 11 a in a positional relationship such as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 (i.e., in a positional relationship wherein each follower pin 22 f biased in a forward direction in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 is arranged closer to the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 of the associated cam groove 11 a, while each follower pin 21 f biased in a rearward direction in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 is arranged closer to the accommodation groove portion 11 a 2 of the associated cam groove 11 a), the mutual distance D1 between the axis of each follower pin 22 f and the axis of the associated follower pin 21 f when the follower pins 22 f and 21 f are engaged in the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 becomes slightly greater than the mutual distance D2 between the axis of each follower pin 22 f and the axis of the associated follower pin 21 f when the follower pins 22 f and 21 f are engaged in the zooming groove portion 11 a 4 in the optical axis direction by an amount corresponding to the amount of inclination of the position-changing groove portion 11 a 3 with respect to both the optical axis O and a circumferential direction of the cam ring 22.

[0137] In the present embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, the three rotation-transmission arms 20 b of the rotational ring 20 that are used to rotate the cam ring 22 are respectively engaged in the three recesses 21 a of the biasing ring 21 so as not to rotate about the optical axis O relative to the three recesses 21 a (so as to be slidably movable in the three recesses 21 a in the optical axis direction relative to the three recesses 21 a). Accordingly, it can be said that the cam ring 22 and the biasing ring 21 are coupled to each other via the rotational ring 20. Hence, the coupling between the cam ring 22 and the biasing ring 21, which rotate as an integral unit when they rotate, has excellent strength.

[0138] The present invention is not limited solely to the above described particular embodiment. For instance, although the present invention is applied to the guide mechanism using cam grooves which is provided between the cam ring 22 and the stationary barrel 11 in the above illustrated embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to another guide mechanism using cam grooves which is provided between a lens support member, which supports a lens group more directly such as the first lens group moving frame 29 or the second lens group moving frame 31, and the cam ring 22.

[0139] Regarding relationships among rotational and non-rotational members of the zoom lens barrel 10, although the cam ring 22 having a set of cam followers (22 f) is a rotatable member while the stationary barrel 11 having a corresponding set of cam grooves (11 a) is a non-rotatable member in the above illustrated embodiment of the zoom lens barrel, the present invention can also be applied to the case where a member (e.g., the first lens group moving frame 29 or the second lens group moving frame 31) having a set of cam followers is a linearly guided member which is guided in the optical axis direction without rotating about the optical axis O while another member (e.g., the cam ring 22) having a corresponding set of cam grooves on an inner peripheral surface thereof is a rotatable member.

[0140] The present invention can be applied not only to the above described particular type of lens barrel, but also to other types of lens barrels.

[0141] As can be understood from the above description, a lens barrel is achieved which incorporates a guide mechanism using a cam groove(s) and a cam follower(s) which is engaged in the cam groove, wherein backlash and play between the cam groove and the cam follower is reliably removed via a simple and small mechanism.

[0142] Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the present invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens barrel comprising: a ring member having a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, said cam groove including opposite guide surfaces; a lens support ring positioned in said ring member and supported thereby to be rotatable with respect to said ring member, said lens support ring having a first cam follower which is engaged in said cam groove of said ring member; a biasing ring coupled to said lens support ring to be movable in an optical axis direction and to be non-rotatable about said optical axis with respect to said lens support ring, said biasing ring having a second cam follower which is engaged in said cam groove of said ring member; and a biasing device for biasing said lens support ring and said biasing ring in opposite directions in said optical axis direction to press said first cam follower and said second cam follower against said opposite guide surfaces of said cam groove.
 2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, said biasing device biases said lens support ring and said biasing ring in opposite directions away from each other in said optical axis direction.
 3. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said opposite guide surfaces of said cam groove comprise a front guide surface and a rear guide surface, said front guide surface being provided at a forward position of said optical axis and said rear guide surface being provided at a rearward position of said optical axis; wherein said first cam follower is pressed against said front guide surface and said second cam follower is pressed against said rear guide surface.
 4. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said first cam follower is formed on an outer peripheral surface of said lens support ring, at a rear end thereof in said optical axis direction; wherein a radial end portion of said first cam follower is engaged in said cam groove; and wherein a base portion of said first cam follower is fitted in a recess formed on said biasing ring.
 5. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said first cam follower and said second cam follower are pressed against one of said opposite guide surfaces and the other of said opposite guide surfaces, respectively, with said first cam follower and said second cam follower not being in contact with said other of said opposite guide surfaces and said one of said opposite guide surfaces, respectively.
 6. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein a mutual distance in said optical axis direction between said first cam follower and said second cam follower changes in accordance with movement of said first and second cam followers along said cam groove.
 7. The lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein said lens barrel comprises a zoom lens barrel; wherein said cam groove includes a zooming groove portion used to change a position of said zoom lens barrel between a telephoto extremity and a wide-angle extremity; and a photographing preparation groove portion which extends from one end of said zooming groove portion to an accommodation position; and wherein said mutual distance between said first and second cam followers when said first and second cam followers are engaged in said photographing-preparation groove portion is greater than when said first and second cam followers are engaged in said zooming groove portion.
 8. The lens barrel according to claim 7, wherein said zooming groove portion extends only in a circumferential direction of said lens support ring, perpendicular to the optical axis; wherein said photographing-preparation groove portion extends in a direction inclined with respect to both said optical axis and said circumferential direction of said lens support ring; and wherein said first cam follower and said second cam follower are engaged in said cam groove at different circumferential positions of said lens support ring.
 9. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said ring member a stationary barrel fixed to a camera body, said lens barrel further comprising a rotation transfer ring via which a rotational motion is transferred to said lens support ring, said rotation transfer ring being supported by said ring member so as to be immovable in said optical axis direction and to be rotatable about said optical axis with respect to said ring member.
 10. The lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said rotation transfer ring is engaged with said lens support ring and said biasing ring to be non-rotatable with respect to both said lens support ring and said biasing ring.
 11. The lens barrel according to claim 9, wherein said biasing device comprises at least one compression spring provided between said lens support ring and said biasing ring.
 12. The lens barrel according to claim 9, further comprising a motor which generates said rotational motion, so that said rotation transfer ring transfers said rotational motion from said motor to said lens support ring.
 13. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein said lens support ring comprises a plurality of first cam grooves and a plurality of second cam grooves which are formed on an inner peripheral surface of said lens support ring and an outer peripheral surface of said lens support ring, respectively. 